New York Republicans plan to magnify those issues this fall, when they will test whether an outstanding national environment for their party can help end a nearly two-decade losing streak in races for statewide office. But first, primary voters must settle an increasingly bitter four-way G.O.P. contest.
Representative Lee Zeldin of Long Island is the pick of his party’s leadership, but he is fighting to hold on against incessant attacks from his rivals, most notably Andrew Giuliani, the MAGA-branded son of former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, and Harry Wilson, a corporate turnaround specialist. Rob Astorino, a former Westchester County executive who was the party’s 2014 nominee for governor, is also running.
Understand the 2022 Midterm Elections
Why are these midterm races so important? This year’s races could tip the balance of power in Congress to Republicans, hobbling President Biden’s agenda for the second half of his term. They will also test former President Donald J. Trump’s role as a G.O.P. kingmaker. Here’s what to know:
The Democratic contest for lieutenant governor may be just as close. Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado remains the favorite, but Ana María Archila, a progressive activist, is riding a late wave of momentum, including an endorsement by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Diana Reyna, Mr. Suozzi’s running mate, is also in the race. The winner will face Alison Esposito, a Republican, who is unopposed.
Because of delays in the drawing of new congressional and legislative maps, the primaries for congressional and State Senate seats across New York State will be held on Aug. 23.
The left’s chance to make a mark.
The insurgent liberal group Justice Democrats has taken two high-profile losses, barely losing its second try at unseating Representative Henry Cuellar, a conservative Democrat, in South Texas, and failing to elect one of its most fiery candidates, Nina Turner, to a House seat in Cleveland.
The next shot for progressives comes Tuesday in Chicago’s Loop, where Kina Collins, a gun safety activist, is making a second pass at trying to unseat Representative Danny Davis, a veteran Democrat. Her run in 2020 was a bust; she lost by 46 percentage points. This time, however, Ms. Collins boasts the endorsement of The Chicago Tribune, which commended Mr. Davis, 80, but argued that “the time has come for new blood.”
